Walter Calder

Walter's Story

EASTPORT AND MADISONVILLE, LA - Walter Dale Calder passed away on Monday, June 27, 2016, succumbing to cancer at age 72. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

The loving husband of Doris Ann (Stewart) Calder for 50 years, he was a devoted father to their three sons - Jason Stewart Calder, Chad Aaron Calder and Ethan Walter Calder. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his sister Pearl Agnes McKnight and her husband and his good friend Gordon Frederick McKnight; his daughters-in-law Kelly Elizabeth James (wife of Jason) and Julie (Svenson) Calder (wife of Ethan) and her son Max Anders Gerjes; and his grandchildren Maya Anne Calder, Abigail Fern Calder, and Nicholas Henry Calder. He cherished his family and they, in turn, cherished him.

Walter was born to the late Walter Angus and Elsie May (Cheverie) Calder of Eastport, Me. He spent his youth in Washington County, Me. hunting, fishing, helping out with the family fish business and later selling lobsters on his own. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1966 and was offered commissions with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. Accepting the latter, he spent two years in the Coast Guard in Port Arthur, Tx. before moving to Newport News, Va. to work at the city shipyard.

He joined the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as a marine surveyor in 1971. Life with ABS took Mr. Calder and his growing family around the world, but he maintained his connection to Maine throughout his journeys. He was an ABS surveyor in Baltimore, Md; Kobe, Japan; and in Newport News, Va. before being appointed Principal Surveyor for a second stint in Kobe, Japan; and then in Taipei, Taiwan; Boston, Mass.; and Morgan City, La. Walter retired from ABS in 2000.

After his retirement, he and Doris moved to Madisonville, La. Never one to slow down, he soon started Covington Acres Bed & Biscuit, a dog boarding kennel, in Covington, La. A lover of animals -- particularly dogs -- Walter was appreciated by pet owners for his dedicated and accommodating service and their pets loved the fact he always had time to give a scratch on the chin.

Walter's friends and family fondly remember him as a kind, caring man with a keen sense of humor. His life experience and know-how were a constant resource for his sons and fodder for memorable conversations with friends and strangers alike.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers who attended to Walter over the last several months, particularly the hospice staff at St. Tammany Parish Hospital and the oncology team at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

A Memorial Service will be held at Mays Funeral Home in Eastport at 2pm on July 17th, 2016.

The family requests that contributions be made to the International Myeloma Foundation in lieu of flowers. Please mail donations in memory of Walter D. Calder to: International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Dr. Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607 or donate online at www.myeloma.org.